Page:Trivia (John Gay) to which is added London (Samuel Johnson) (1809).djvu/69

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So when fam'd Eddystone's far-shooting ray,345
That led the sailor through the stormy way,
Was from its rocky roots by billows torn,
And the high turret in the whirlwind borne,
Fleets bulg'd their sides against the craggy land,349
And pitchy ruins blacken'd all the strand.
Who then through night would hire the harness'd steed?
And who would choose the rattling wheel for speed?
But hark! Distress, with screaming voice, draws nigher,
And wakes the slumb'ring street with cries of 'Fire!'
At first, a glowing red enwraps the skies,355
And, borne by winds, the scatt'ring sparks arise:
From beam to beam the fierce contagion spreads;
The spiry flames now lift aloft their heads;
Through the burst sash a blazing deluge pours,
And splitting tiles descend in rattling show'rs.360
Now with thick crowds th' enlighten'd pavement swarms:
The fireman sweats beneath his crooked arms;
A leathern casque his vent'rous head defends,
Boldly he climbs where thickest smoke ascends;